Gladding Mcbean
Posted in Pottery on 09/17/2009 10:16 pm by admin |
 Catalina Art Pottery GMB Gladding McBean Franciscan Encanto Flambe Red Fish Vase $435.00 Time Remaining: 15d 18h 12m Buy It Now for only: $435.00 |
 Vintage Retro Gladding McBean Pitcher 5 Colorful Mugs w Holders Rare $189.95 Time Remaining: 3d 11h 38m Buy It Now for only: $189.95 |
 Franciscan Catalina Island Star Fish Vase RARE GMcB 1930s Gladding McBean GMB $199.00 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 51m Buy It Now for only: $199.00 |
 Gladding McBean CATALINA OXBLOOD Bud Vase CALIFORNIA 1938 1942 $169.99 Time Remaining: 29d 14h 31m Buy It Now for only: $169.99 |
 Franciscan China Gladding McBean Co Claremont Dish Plate Platter 1950s 0 sh $169.00 Time Remaining: 17d 13h 13m Buy It Now for only: $169.00 |
 Gladding McBean artist signed vase floral high glaze $125.00 Time Remaining: 7d 13m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 2 Vintage GLADDING MCBEAN HERMOSA Handpainted TILES Wheelhouse Scenes RARE $99.99 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 12m |
 LOT 38 VTG GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN CORAL EL PATIO DISHES PLATES BOWLS CUPS $69.95 Time Remaining: 10d 15h 20m Buy It Now for only: $69.95 |
 Vintage FRANCISCAN CHINA GLADDING MCBEAN MESA OVAL PLATTER Mid Century Modern $89.95 Time Remaining: 17d 15h 38m Buy It Now for only: $89.95 |
 RARE CATALINA ISLAND FRANCISCAN GMB MONK BOOKENDS GLADDING McBEAN $75.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 23h 5m |
 Catalina Pottery Cornucopia Vase Gladding McBean 1930s $72.25 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 56m Buy It Now for only: $72.25 |
 Vintage FRANCISCAN GLADDING McBEAN WHEAT GREEN PLATES COFFEE CUPS SAUCERS LUNCH $49.95 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 22m Buy It Now for only: $49.95 |
 FRANCISCAN GLADDING MCBEAN WHITE MATTE Dinner Plates 5 FREE SHIPPING USA $65.00 Time Remaining: 14d 14h 49m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
 Vintage GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN BOWL DUET RED FLOWER $49.95 Time Remaining: 20d 20h 33m Buy It Now for only: $49.95 |
 Vintage Cherry Gladding McBean Co Tile $50.00 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 4m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Gladding McBean Tile Mexican Man w Sombrero Smoking $49.99 Time Remaining: 12d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Gladding McBean Tile Mexican Man w Sombrero Siesta Time $49.99 Time Remaining: 12d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Gladding McBean Tile Mexican Man w Sombrero Siesta Time $49.99 Time Remaining: 12d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Gladding McBean Tile Mexican Man w Sombrero Smoking $49.99 Time Remaining: 12d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN FERN DELL VEGETABLE BOWL $39.95 Time Remaining: 22d 17h 40m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 4 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN HAPPY TALK DINNER PLATES MID CENTURY MODERN Vintage $36.95 Time Remaining: 27d 13h 38m Buy It Now for only: $36.95 |
 Gladding McBean GMB Coronado Salmon Teapot $34.95 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 33m Buy It Now for only: $34.95 |
 Vintage Gladding McBean Yellow Cream Sugar Dishes WW $47.90 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 38m Buy It Now for only: $47.90 |
 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN FERN DELL APPETIZER BOWL Mid Century Modern atomic $29.95 Time Remaining: 18d 17h 29m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
 Vintage Gladding McBean Catalina Pottery 8 1 2 Square Bowl Turquoise Cream $45.99 Time Remaining: 10d 10h 46m Buy It Now for only: $45.99 |
 Franciscan Gladding McBean 10 3 8 Oval Bowl Unusual Burnt Orange Coronado EUC $34.99 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 21m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 1940s Bauer GLADDING MCBEAN CARAFE Pottery Pitcher W Wood HANDLE $45.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 44m |
 FRANCISCAN GLADDING MCBEAN AQUA MATTE LUNCHEON PLATES 4 FREE SHIPPING USA $45.00 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 7m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 FRANCISCAN GLADDING MCBEAN CORAL LUNCHEON PLATES 4 FREE SHIPPING USA $45.00 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 34m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 FRANCISCAN GLADDING MCBEAN RIMMED SOUP BOWLS 3 FREE SHIPPING USA $39.99 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 20m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Franciscan China Gladding McBean Co Claremont Tea Coffee Cup Saucer Set 1950s $39.95 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 42m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 Franciscan China Gladding McBean Co Claremont Dinner Plate 1950s $39.95 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 55m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN LARKSPUR DRINK PITCHER MOD $24.95 Time Remaining: 27d 15h 40m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |
 4 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN HERITAGE DINNER PLATES Vintage Mid Century Modern $19.95 Time Remaining: 24d 23h Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 FRANCISCAN GLADDING MCBEAN TWO TONE 5 PC CONDIMENT SET FREE SHIPPING USA $35.00 Time Remaining: 2d 14h 55m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 4 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN AUTUMN PLATES SAUCER $19.95 Time Remaining: 27d 18h 52m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Two Gladding McBean Hermosa Pottery Tiles with Dutch decal design California $29.75 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 37m Buy It Now for only: $29.75 |
 Franciscan Wheat Ware Gladding McBean Co 1953 $21.95 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 16m |
 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN EL PATIO CASSEROLE BROWN $19.95 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 51m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN WHITE CONDIMENT DISH MID CENTURY MODERN ATOMIC bowl $19.95 Time Remaining: 16d 16h 51m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Franciscan Gladding McBean Pitcher pattern Radiance 8 tall 3 4 across $25.00 Time Remaining: 3d 10h 30m |
 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN MAYTIME VEGETABLE BOWL $17.95 Time Remaining: 8d 17h 6m Buy It Now for only: $17.95 |
 2 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN AUTUMN CREAMER GRAVY BOAT $18.95 Time Remaining: 14d 17h 2m Buy It Now for only: $18.95 |
 VINTAGE GLADDING MCBEAN CATALINA POTTERY $19.99 Time Remaining: 7d 21h 33m |
 FRANCISCAN CORONADO CORAL GLOSSY POTTERY CASSEROLE W LID GLADDING MCBEAN 1930 $18.99 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 5m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 |
 Set of Franciscan Desert Rose 3 cups 4 saucers 1963 Gladding McBean Co $20.00 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 46m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Vintage Gladding McBean Hermosa Franciscan Asian Chinese Decorator Tile $24.95 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 19m |
 Franciscan Gladding McBean Harvest Brown Golden Wheat Dinner Plate 10 1 2 EUC $19.99 Time Remaining: 24d 17h 31m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Gladding McBean Tile Mexican Man w Sombrero Smoking $25.00 Time Remaining: 12d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 Gladding McBean Tile Mexican Man w Sombrero Siesta Time $25.00 Time Remaining: 12d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 FRANCISCAN GLADDING MCBEAN AQUA MATTE DESSERT PLATES 4 FREE SHIPPING USA $29.99 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 15m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 Franciscan China Gladding McBean Co Claremont Salad Medium Plate 1950s $29.95 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 49m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
 Vintage GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN SPOON REST DUET ROSE $19.95 Time Remaining: 21d 18h 1m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 VINTAGE FRANCISCAN CALIFORNIA ART POTTERY CARAFE EL PATIO GLADDING McBEAN WOOD $19.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 9m |
 CATALINA ISLAND Gladding McBean 223 Yellow Fluted Vase $20.00 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 12m |
 Vintage Gladding McBean GMB Turquoise Coffee Caraf wooden handle Franciscan $15.99 Time Remaining: 5d 21h 2m |
 Vintage Gladding McBean GMB Yellow Coffee Caraf wooden handle Franciscan $15.99 Time Remaining: 5d 21h 2m |
 Vintage Gladding McBean GMB Light Green Coffee Caraf wooden handle Franciscan $15.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5d 21h 3m |
 Vintage Gladding McBean GMB Rust w stopper Coffee Caraf wooden handle Franciscan $15.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5d 21h 3m |
 Vintage Gladding McBean GMB Turquoise Milk serving pitcher w stopper Franciscan $15.99 Time Remaining: 5d 21h 3m |
 2 GLADDING MCBEAN FRANCISCAN ROSE DUET PATTERN PLATES $14.95 Time Remaining: 7d 11h 18m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 Gladding Mcbean large Pottery Vase rare $25.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4d 18h 16m |
 FRANCISCAN GLADDING MCBEAN CORAL BREAD PLATES 4 FREE SHIPPING USA $25.00 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 7m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 VTG GLADDING MCBEAN CORONADO SWIRL GLACIAL BLUE AQUA LUNCHEON PLATE 2 BOWLS $12.99 Time Remaining: 8d 6h 16m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 FRANCISCAN GLADDING MCBEAN AQUA BREAD PLATES 4 FREE SHIPPING USA $19.99 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 26m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Franciscan Gladding McBean Co Pitcher Carmel Brown $12.95 Time Remaining: 14h 59m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 Franciscan Desert Rose Gladding McBean 64 oz Pitcher Backstamp USA $9.95 Time Remaining: 6d 20h 2m |
 2 NICE FRANCISCAN WARE GLADDING MCBEAN AUTUMN CUPS $9.95 Time Remaining: 9d 18h 53m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 2 VINTAGE FRANCISCAN GLADDING McBEAN FERN DELL LUGGED SOUP CEREAL BOWLS $9.95 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 19m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 GLADDING McBEAN POTTERY CORONADO WARE ASHTRAY in CORAL $11.89 Time Remaining: 3d 23h 24m Buy It Now for only: $11.89 |
 Franciscan Earthenware Gladding McBean Creamer Made USA $8.99 Time Remaining: 23d 22h 20m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 VINTAGE FRANCISCAN GLADDING McBEAN FERN DELL LARGE DIVIDED Serving Bowl $7.95 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 22m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 Franciscan China Gladding McBean Co Claremont Bread Dessert Small Plate 1950s $14.95 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 46m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 Gladding McBean Franciscan Autumn creamer earthenware $13.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 44m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 VINTAGE FRANCISCAN GLADDING McBEAN FERN DELL 3 WAY DIVIDED SERVING BOWL $6.95 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 20m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
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The Background of Franciscan Pottery
"Franciscan Pottery" began in the mid-1930s as a venture of Gladding, McBean & Co., which had been founded in 1875 by Charles Gladding and his partners, Peter McGill McBean and George Chambers. Charles Gladding had come west the year before from Chicago to explore new economic opportunities in the area of clay sewer pipes, which had been his area of work in Chicago.
While hundreds of thousands of people had come from all over the world to California to seek fortune after gold was discovered in 1848, Charles Gladding decided to relocate to California when he learned of the discovery of... clay -- massive clay deposits near Lincoln. Not long after its founding, the company was manufacturing and shipping clay sewer pipes throughout California.
By 1890, Gladding, McBean & Co. had expanded its production beyond sewer pipes. Those distinctive half-cylindrical unglazed red roof tiles of the main campus buildings that so distinguish Stanford University? A project of Gladding, McBean & Co. in 1891, when the university was founded. And that is just one example of scores of such projects. Other examples are the Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan Presidential Libraries in California, and the Italian Embassy, in Washington, D.C.
The Beginnings of Franciscan Pottery
Gladding, McBean got the ball rolling when it bought Tropico Pottery, which was to become the site of the production of the Franciscan line of dinnerware in just over a decade hence. Things moved apace in 1933, when Gladding, McBean bought another company that had plants in Hermosa Beach and Vernon; and things really accelerated in 1934, when Frederic J. Grant, who had been vice president and then president (1932) of Weller Pottery in Zanesville, Ohio, was hired in January. He and his wife, Mary, a recognized designer, gave strong guidance the company until their departure in 1952. Some of her work was on display in exhibitions in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
No less significant than the acquisition of additional companies and facilities to the later success of the Franciscan lines of dinnerware was the 1928 patent by A. Malinovszky of the Malinite process, which was improved upon and perfected in the ensuing years.
The Hotel Biltmore in Los Angeles in June 1934 and the China and Glass Show in New York the following month, were the west and east coast state venues where Franciscan art and dinner ware were first introduced to the public; the New York premier distinguished Franciscan as the first California Pottery to be marketed in the East.
Why "Franciscan?"
It was an astute marketing move when Gladding, McBean named its dinnerware and art pottery division "Franciscan." With but a word, they were able to call to mind images of old California and Spanish padres -- early missionaries to California -- and, by extension, the myth of a simple, peasant existence, which they sought to bring to the rest of the country.
The Franciscan name also bespoke an image of historical tradition, which, coupled with the glamor of a burgeoning film industry and an exotic climate, both gave substance to and helped create a romanticized identity of things "California."
It took more, though, than a cleverly chosen name to ensure the success over the years of Franciscan Pottery. (The name was changed to Franciscan Ware in 1936 to broaden its image and give it a more "upscale" image: another astute marketing move.) Those evocations of a simpler time in the West were fueled by promotions that were instrumental in popularizing the inexpensive dinner ware and served to propel it to heights of desirability over the years. An early example of this was a 1936 Lowell Thomas travelogue that showcased the Franciscan product and factory. In the 1950s, the Franciscan Ivy pattern was featured on I Love Lucy, and Mary Tyler Moore served guests on Franciscan Apple dinnerware on the original Dick Van Dyke Show in the 1960s.
Of course, without the highest quality designs and craftsmanship, the success that Franciscan enjoyed would have been short lived.
Designs changed over the years, from the initial solid pastel colors, through the floral hand-painted patterns -- most note worth, the Apple, Desert Rose, and Ivy -- of the 1940s, to the "atomic age" Star Burst pattern of the 1950s.
The End of the U.S. Production of Franciscan Pottery (/Ware)
Gladding, McBean, which had already moved from family to corporate ownership and control by the late 1920s, merged with Lock Joint Pipe Company in 1962 to form the International Pipe and Ceramics (whose name was later changed to the more "forward" sounding Interpace). In 1979, the behemoth Wedgwood Limited of England, bought out the Glendale property, and in 1984 all U.S. manufacturing of Franciscan pottery ceased when they closed the plant and moved production to England.
Although production of the Franciscan line of dinnerware continued, none of it was made any longer in the U.S. (nor with the "Malinite" process), and the years 1934 to 1984 are considered by collectors as the "Golden Days" of Franciscan Pottery.
Helpful Sources of Information:
Page, Bob, et. al. Franciscan: An American Dinnerware Tradition. Greensboro: Page-Frederiksen Publications, 1999 (Amazon preview)
Huntsville Antique Show: Franciscan Desert Rose Dinnerware http://huntsvilleantiques.blogspot.com/2010/04/franciscan-desert-rose-dinnerware.html
Gladding McBean http://www.gladdingmcbean.com/aboutus.html
Although Rich is a latecomer to the world of collectable - and/or functional - Franciscan Pottery, he is devouring everything he can on the subject, whether online, at the library or bookstore - perhaps even at the home of a neighbor or church member, who may have a delightful story to tell
He hopes to be writing more about what he learns here: